Shells_Almost_There

Hang in there, Daydra! Definitely get your BMR tested and maybe even a full blood work up to see what's going on. I hope your PCP is patient, kind, and interested so that you can get some peace of mind during this frustrating time. Good luck!

Premier Protein shakes (ready to drink-I hate the powders!) are how I made it through - I still do 1 to 2 per day if I don't get in enough protein from my limited "real food" intake. 30 grams per 11 ounces and the chocolate is the first shake with this much protein that didn't make me feel sick. They can be purchased at Costco/Club Prix and Sam's Club. Good luck!

I could drive as soon as I was off the good drugs, but I couldn't really sit up for a while - twisting and sliding into the driver's seat was a bit too cramped as well. And as Macy6 mentioned, I too had no desire to go anywhere! I stayed on the couch recliner and healed for as long as possible.

I got really scared as they wheeled me to the operating room, and had massive second thoughts due to fear of dying or having a bad outcome/issue. But there were no complications, no issues, and now, weeks later, I am happier than ever with my decision and wish I'd done it a few years ago. Since surgery I've been to a Game Day party and to happy hour that were a struggle as far as appetizers and quantity - turning off my memory of being able to stuff myself with food was tougher than I thought, but I made it through (and no one noticed my tiny portions etc) and all is well. I've lost a nice amount of weight so far and the future looks bright. Good luck, it's going to be great!

I'm only a few weeks out, but I sure wished I'd listened to the advice to stop drinking while eating. I'm at the stage now where I can't drink 15 minutes before I eat or 30 minutes after and it's the worst learning curve in the world. So frustrating. I already struggle getting in all the ounces of water per day, so this just made it that much harder. I too over-bought the protein powders and about a million cans of cream soups that I will now donate to the next food drive that comes around. Lots of money down the drain, but live and learn. (LOL, you know this one!) Finally, agreeing with many above, I wish I'd had surgery two or three years ago when I first started looking into it, instead of waiting. But, in the end, things work out for a reason and having surgery is the best decision I've made for myself...maybe ever!

Looking awesome! Yes, the blogs are down still and it's driving me crazy. Keep up the awesome work!

My doc's program says that carbonated drinks can cause gas and bloating and to consider eliminating all together, but I know of people on here who drink 1 per day - and sometimes let it go flat so that the bubbles don't bug them too much. Sorry, not much of an answer!

Check with your doctor, because I've heard that they don't recommend restrictive garments for a while after surgery during the healing process. Especially while the incisions are healing. If you're talking about what to wear weeks and week after surgery, that's probably a personal choice depending on what fits you best! So far what I've found is not to really pre-buy anything - wait until you actually need it. (I start my 5th week post op tomorrow and am donating soups and whey powder to whoever will take it. I seriously over bought pre-op). Good luck tomorrow!

I waited 2 weeks because I had pain in my large incision area and when I was scrunched up in a car it was a bit too painful. Plus, I found that even as a passenger, the bumps and the natural leaning we do when turning would give me aches and pains. So, I waited to drive until week 3. I found that reaching out to close the driver door was still a little painful, and turning my head and torso when backing up still hurt a bit. I'm starting week 5 post-op tomorrow and all that is gone now. I hope this helps! (btw, I only took the strong pain meds for 4 days post op, then I stayed with over the counter for the rest of week 1. After that, no pain meds).

I've been to happy hour recently - they had a soup on the menu, and they had baby back ribs that were super tender, so that's what I ended up with. I ate 2 ribs and 2-3 teaspoons of soup over 2 hours and no one noticed a thing (I used to always get the nachos but I wouldn't have been able to enjoy them so I skipped them). I did stick with water, though, because I still don't know the effects of alcohol on my sleeve and I had to drive home solo. Good luck!

I can eat a whole egg now, and it keeps me full for a few hours. I tried it with a little cut/mushed up sausage last week and that was too painful. Ended up picking the egg out and dumping the sausage.

Lose - Loose You're - Your Advice - Advise Moot point - not MUTE point... LOL these kill me.

Many people will tell you to weigh only once a month during this early stage, because "stalls" are going to happen and you don't want to obsess with the scale. My personal feeling is that as long as you don't let the scale control your life, weigh when you want to. I weigh each day, and I have for a number of years. Right after surgery, I didn't weigh for the first week and a half because I felt nasty and bloated, LOL but now that a few weeks have passed, I'm weighing each morning like normal. I've been stuck at the same weight for about 6 days, so I started to add calories to my daily intake. This morning, the scale finally moved and it made me feel like adding the calories was a good decision to help break the dreaded Week 3 stall I was in. But again, this is just my opinion - I've seen other post-op people here expressing regret, frustration and depression about not losing weight on a daily basis, and for them I would advocate to stay away from the scale for a while and follow their doctor's plan. It's a really personal decision, I think. Good luck!

I also slept a lot during my 2 weeks post-op. Since then, I've felt pretty lucky because I haven't been fatigued at all. I was getting 500-600 calories, but I just upped that to the 800 range the last couple days. I always take my multivitamins and I really concentrate on getting a large amount of protein early in the workday so my body is fed. I don't know if that's what's helping, but I'm thankful. I was back to work full time this week and had no ill effects. I'm hoping it stays this way!

I crave sweets still, even though I worked hard to break the sugar addiction during pre-op. It's just who I am. So, I am not having sweets at all, other than the sugar-free/no sugar added things I am allowed, because I know I will crave real sugar even more. Carbs are interesting - my head likes the idea of having some, but I don't feel like I need it. So, for now, I'm playing the avoidance game!

It's a struggle for me as well. I think there's only been 1 single day that I've made it to 64oz. I forget to sip - especially now that I am back to work. So, I'm renewing my efforts to hit that goal next week. Good luck!

Wow, very sorry to hear this, but happy that you self-advocated and got the help you needed. I hope that all is smooth sailing from here on out!!!

I had 5 incisions. 3 are tiny (less than an inch). 2 are larger, but by that I mean 2 inches, maybe. I am finishing up my 4th week post op and all the incisions have healed nicely. I think the scars are going to be barely noticeable! I'm really happy with these results. I now have permission to put neosporin on them, and I'm hoping that will minimize the scarring even more.

Sorry to hear this -- hang in there, it WILL happen!

I hope this is how it goes for me! I have all my smaller pants ready - I could probably wait for 100 pounds off before I actually "need" to buy clothes.

Around day 5 I saw serious improvement in the pain when I'd sit or stand. It turned into more of a stitch in my side pain at the large incision site. That lasted another 10 to 15 days for me, but I know other people have had it go away earlier. Interestingly, since surgery I have to have much better posture in my office chair ( I work at a computer all day) because I slump a bit and then the pain in my side will start again. I then have to stretch, or take a short walk to get the pain to abate. One thing is for sure, each day you will see an improvement and it's so exciting! Good luck!

I feel your pain too! I'm down almost 20 pounds since surgery but my belly is still swollen. I have been totally frustrated that my pants aren't looser, but I can tell that the weight has come off my upper thighs and shoulders/arms. Someone said they could tell in my face, but I still see my double chin! LOL If there's one place I want to lose weight, it's my fat belly, so of course it isn't coming off there yet. I bet it will be another 40 pounds before I'll be forced switch pants size, but that isn't stopping me from trying on my smaller pants once per week. Hang in there, it will happen!

Hang in there - these nerves are normal. I also waited by myself (3 hours), and wanted to leave a time or two, but didn't and it was the best decision EVER. It will be over before you know it and all will be well.

My NUT does a calculation, take your weight times .3 - this gives you a minimum protein per day. So if a person weighs 250, the minimum daily protein should be 75 grams. I don't know if this is standard but it's a guideline.

I have heard of this, and I think it has to do with both your surgery experience/results and your personal pain tolerance. I found that I couldn't sit up at my computer for very long after surgery (I work at a desk all day) - At first, if I sat up in my office chair for more than 2 hours my left side really hurt. So, I took a couple weeks off work as a vacation (no one at work really knows I had surgery), and I'm glad I did, I think everyone's experience is different, and hopefully you will be able to go back sooner if that's your goal. Good luck!